A RALLY against strip searching, called by the National Labour Women's Committee (NIWC), took place in London last Saturday. It was attended by over 200 people, overwhelmingly women. heard Pauline Deary, who had served nine years as a political prisoner in Armagh women's jail, describe in moving detail the inhuman practice of strip searching, and the clear intimidatory motivation for its use.
'Strip searching was first introduced in Armagh in November 1982 four years ago this month. It was ntroduced without a moHOLS SIOLICC Suddenly they just started asking WUCHI SLib I was in Armagh at this time. I was so shocked when believe it would continue I said not to worrv it will bf stopped within week.
Now fours years later it is still going on.
"They say that strip searches are carried out In a "sensitive manner" so they do not •use mne woner stress. Well just three weeks ago a woman in Machaberry jail who was there for non-pavment oi a fine she was not a was strip searDI SULCI ched five times in four days.
She was pregnant and sh ost her baby on her wa home.
anevler us McCl stress involved. Well that obviously wollal Was stressed.
'Another woman miscarriea ner Dady willit in prison and was removed to hospital. on ner returi from hospital she was forced to strip search. She was stil haemorrhaging heaviy because they wouldn't keep her in hospital ior more than the bare minimum of time.
Is this "sensitive"? Does this involve "no stress"? They claimed thes didn't know she hac been in hospital, but there were prison guards with her the whole time 'Anther woman was strip searched just after giving biren, and tose or you who are mothers will know how you feel physically ! a few weeks after birth. She was haemorrhaging and needed breast supports, Searshe was foraed to strip that Sealen "sensitive"? everyone, from 75 year old "They search women to 16 year old girls. Cathy Moore was strip searched 90 times while on re„voo æo vç cc quitted. They strip search the women when they are menstruating, and they are forced to hand over their sallilol, protection inspection Since moving Maghaberry there have been strip searches, and the prison was onopened in Sometimes they claim that the number of strip searches is lalling and product the figures from month to month, but they don't point out that the number prisoners on remand has also fallen.
"There have been almost 4000 searches since 1982 the prison population has virtually never been over 30, and it is now down to 25.
'Scott. the minister in charge of prisons, was questioned bv Petel Arener In the House of Commons about his claims that items of contraband DeCI found through the strip searches. In the end he was forced to give details - a f5 note, a bottle of perfume, and a letter! Hardly a grave threat to security!
"The strip searches are there to intimidate demoralise make ashamed of our bodies. It is nothing to do with security.
Ce es comme dl at the European Court for next year. We will be presenling a petition. That is where we have our eyes now in this campaign. We hope you will sign the petition and add your protest to vulS Given the importance of the issue, especially with the focus of the European Court hearing in the new year, it was unfortunate thạt much of the potential of this rally was in the way organised.
However despite these problems the fact that 200 women mobilised from all over mne country that a really well organised nationa united tront cam paign against strip searches could, in the words of Anita Kierarel oI birminghau ICI: móbilise not just 1000 women rather than 200, but 10,000 women'.
This is the campaign which is needed by • IEK women prisoners in the run up to the European Court hearing.
Socialist Action 21 Nov 1986